NFL rookie debut grades: Ty Simpson shines; Jeremiyah Love spins; 49ers, Browns WRs steal spotlight originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
How did the notable rookies selected in the first round and beyond of the 2026 NFL Draft fare in their preseason debuts over the weekend?
First on the marquee, three quarterbacks came off the bench to shine in their first pro action in August, including the two drafted the earliest in April. Wide receiver was a different story, with the biggest noise made by pass-catchers picked No. 30 or later and two of the top picks, the Saints' Jordyn Tyson and the Eagles' Makai Lemon, injured and not playing.
Some rookie defensive stars crushing it in training camp had strong, steady performances without the spectacular. The early Ohio State stars, no surprise, showed some flashes.
Here's a breakdown of 12 of the many rookies who were under the spotlight to open the preseason.
MORE: Predicting winners of the 8 most contentious QB battles in preseason
NFL rookie grades from preseason Week 1
Imagn Images
Grade: A
Ty Simpson, QB, Rams (Round 1, No. 13 overall, Alabama)
Simpson was a controversial high pick for Los Angeles, but he turned out to be a luxury stash behind Matthew Stafford once the team made the needed big defensive splurge on Myles Garrett. Simpson has been the No. 3 behind Stetson Bennett in camp, but after Bennett played a couple of drives, Simpson played the rest of the game against the Chiefs.
McVay didn't shy from giving Simpson high volume with 25 attempts with little pressure, altering the sack-less dropbacks. Simpson responded with 21 completions, averaging 7.6 yards per attempt and posting a clean, efficient 125.0 passer rating. Simpson also used his mobility well to deliver the ball on top of solid pocket work for McVay. It's clear the Rams are trying to accelerate the development despite having Stafford in the short term and Simpson made a case to jump Bennett at some point in 2026.
MORE:Complete stats behind Ty Simpson's stellar preseason debut
KC Concepcion, WR, Browns (Round 1, No. 24 overall, Texas A&M)
Concepcion was advertised as an immediate open-field weapon with his speed and quickness for a Browns' offense starved for playmakers. He came through right away, catching 3 of his 4 targets for 27 yards. He also showed impressive burst on a 14-yard touchdown run on the Bears. No matter who wins the QB job between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders, Concepcion figures to be a key cog for offensive-minded coach Todd Monken all season long.
De'Zhaun Stribling, WR, 49ers (Round 2, No. 33 overall, Ole Miss)
Stribling might be needed for a bigger role than expected as a first-rounder and is looking like a much smarter pick since 2024 first-rounder Ricky Pearsall went down for the season and both free-agent additions, Mike Evans (quad) and Christian Kirk (calf), are hurting. Although the team brought back a fading Deebo Samuel Jr., Stribling made a case to earn a busier immediate role in the offense, leading the team with 7 catches on 8 targets for 63 yards against the Titans. Stribling showed smooth route-running and hands to justify John Lynch's surprise selection as someone who can thrive soon in Kyle Shanahan's scheme.
Mike Washington Jr., RB, Raiders (Round 4, No. 122 overall, Arkansas)
The Raiders wanted a little change of pace and relief for 2025 first-round workhorse Ashton Jeanty. Washington has provided that answer with an exclamation point. Jeanty looked good, too, before Washington blew up for a 53-yard run as part of his 6 carries coming off the bench.
Offensive-minded coach Klint Kubiak will be committed to balance and running half the time to take pressure off his quarterbacks, much like he did with Sam Darnold in Seattle. It's important that Washington can come in with fresh legs and burst for Jeanty, a la Zach Charbonnet and Kenneth Walker III.
Drew Allar, QB, Steelers (Round 3, No. 76 overall, Penn State)
Allar (10-of-13, 153 yards, 11.8 yards per attempt, 2 TD, near-perfect 154.8 passer rating) came in against the Packers third behind Mason Rudolph and Will Howard — who are in an intense battle to be the top backup to Aaron Rodgers — and looked a lot better than both working with the third team.
It won't be enough for new offensive-minded coach Mike McCarthy to elevate Allar, as his inexperience will be uncomfortable to have as Rodgers' first understudy. But this was a good sign for him to develop well through the season and get a longer look as a potential Rodgers' successor in 2027.
MORE: Inside the stats of Drew Allar's sensational preseason debut
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Cardinals (Round 1, No. 3 overall, Notre Dame)
Love had a viral gorgeous move spin against the Raiders to mark his debut after missing the Hall of Fame Game preseason opener. He pounded out 11 carries for 58 yards, including a 16-yard run, living up to his special blend of power, elusiveness and explosiveness. Although there is some concern for his near-future availability after he came out of it with an ankle injury, expect the team to work toward having him healthy for Week 1 of the regular season.
Imagn Images
Grade: A-
Fernando Mendoza, QB, Raiders (Round 1, No. 1 overall, Indiana)
Mendoza got plenty of action as promised by Kubiak, coming in after one strong drive by veteran bridge No. 1 Kirk Cousins and then playing into the fourth quarter. Although he pressed a little and invited some pressure, he made all the throws well with the right touch and accuracy, from quick outs to deep-middle strikes. He also didn't need long to put his first TD pass.
Cousins still has a firm grip on the starting job, but Kubiak should keep wanting to see more of Mendoza to know when it's right to make the switch midseason.
Sonny Styles, LB, Commanders (Round 1, No. 7 overall, Ohio State)
Washington has a sleeper for defensive rookie of the year to succeed another inside linebacker, the Browns' Carson Schwesinger. Styles has great range and recognition vs. run and pass, and showed he can lead Dan Quinn's front seven. Styles recorded three tackles against the Dolphins to show for it, scratching the surface of a rookie year bound to be full of big plays.
Grade: B
David Bailey, EDGE, Jets (Round 1, No. 2 overall, Texas Tech)
Bailey has been living up to the hype as an athletic freak in the defense of Aaron Glenn and Brian Duker. Bailey had a quieter game debut in relation to his reported traffic camp, but he did start off with a tackle against the Buccaneers ahead of having a real impact as a situational pass rusher at first in the regular season.
Arvell Reese, LB, Giants (Round 1, No. 5 overall, Ohio State)
For the other team that plays in MetLife Stadium, they also are feeling great about their early defensive selection. The Giants made the right call to add Reese to be a versatile inside-outside force to complement recent high picks such as Abdul Carter. Reese got on the board well with a couple of tackles against the Vikings in a low-scoring affair.
MORE:Jaxson Dart questions NFL's blue medical tent process
Grade: C
Carnell Tate, WR, Titans (Round 1, No. 4 overall, Ohio State)
Tate got three targets in his debut against the 49ers, but was unable to get Tennessee fans excited by coming up empty with no receptions, including a missed scoring opportunity in the red zone. With a new offense under Brian Daboll for second-year QB Cam Ward, getting the passing game in sync has been a challenge, as Ward is also trying to build chemistry with Tate. Tate's talent will manifest at some point, but it will be a little wait.
Imagn Images
Grade: D
Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Jets (Round 1, No. 30 overall, Indiana)
Cooper has had a rough first training camp and doesn't look ready for a big role as a starter or even No. 3 type. He built some confidence by catching two passes for 31 yards late against Tampa Bay's deep defensive reserves, but he has a lot to prove to climb the depth chart. With rookie first-round tight end Kenyon Sadiq sidelined and Cooper struggling, it's not the best early development to help Geno Smith and Garrett Wilson.